Patent Application
20210396942
The present disclosure generally relates to organization and arrangement of optical components which may be used in communication modules, including for example optoelectronic modules. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to devices suitable for arrayed positioning of a plurality of optical components such as fused fiber optical components.
Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described herein are not prior art to the claims in the present application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Communication modules, including optoelectronic modules such as optical or amplifier line cards, may include various components that engage in the transmission and reception of optical signals. Some of the components may be housed within a shell of the communication module. The communication module itself may be operably received within a host device that serves as one component of a communications network, operably coupled to one or more fiber optic cables which include one or more optical fibers, or both. The communication module may include a transmit port, a receive port, or both, each of which is configured to receive a connector of the optical fiber.
Some communication modules, such as optical or amplifier line cards, may include a large number of optical components which may consume a significant portion of the interior volume of the housing of the communication module or require an increase in the size of the housing. In addition, the large number of optical components which may be present in certain modules may, for example, present challenges positioning these components relative to one another and organizing various optical fibers associated therewith. As a result, assembly of optoelectronic modules of this nature may become complicated and require stocking a large volume of individual optical components having different functionalities. These modules may also require a larger number of optical fiber splices between optical components of sequential functions, and these splices may result in increased manufacturing costs and potentially lead to decreased reliability or increased loss. Thus, there remains a need for additional contributions in this technology.
The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one example technology area where some implementations described herein may be practiced.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In one embodiment, an optoelectronic module includes a printed circuit board (“PCB”) that extends between opposite ends and includes one or more electrical or optical connectors at one or both ends thereof. The module also includes an optical component array device that includes an elongate body configured to position a plurality of fused fiber optical components relative to the PCB in an array of laterally or radially spaced receptacles.
In another embodiment, an optical component array device includes an elongated cylindrical body that extends between a first end and an opposite second end. The device also includes a plurality of receptacles radially spaced around an outer circumference of the elongated cylindrical body. One or more of the receptacles is defined by an elongate slot that extends between and opens at the first and second ends of the elongated cylindrical body, and one of the receptacles is configured to receive a fused fiber optical component.
In yet another embodiment, an optical component array device includes an elongate body that extends along a longitudinal axis between a first end and an opposite second end and olaterally between a first side and an oppositely positioned second side. The device also includes a plurality of receptacles laterally spaced from one another and positioned between the first and second sides of the elongate body, and one of the receptacles is configured to receive a fused fiber optical component. A cover member is positioned over the elongate body and configured to cooperate with the elongate body to receive therebetween the fused fiber optical component.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe various aspects of example embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of such example embodiments, and are not limiting of the present invention, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale.
The present disclosure generally relates to organization and arrangement of optical components which may be used in communication modules, including for example optoelectronic modules. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to devices suitable for arrayed positioning of a plurality of optical components such as fused fiber optical components. Although the embodiments are described in the context of optoelectronic modules used in the field of optical networking, embodiments disclosed herein may be employed in other fields or operating environments where the functionality disclosed herein may be useful. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be construed to be limited to the example implementations and operating environments disclosed herein.
With general reference to
Each of receptacles 18, 20, 22 and 24, as viewed from first end 14 of body 12 for example, includes a generally U-shaped configuration. More particularly, with reference to the elongated slot of receptacle 18 for example, it includes a first surface 26 positioned opposite of a second surface 28 which generally extends in-line with first surface 26. First surface 26 and second surface 28 extend from outer surface 30 along the circumference of body 12 to a third surface 32 which generally extends transversely to and between first surface 26 and second surface 28. In this configuration, each of receptacles 18, 20, 22 and 24 opens at the circumference of body 12 so that an optical component may be positioned therein. As an alternative configuration, one or more of receptacles 18, 20, 22 and 24 may be covered along outer surface 30 such that an optical component is positioned therein from first end 14 or second end 16 of body 12. One or more of receptacles 18, 20, 22 and 24 may also have, for example, a V-shaped or C-shaped configuration, just to provide a few examples.
As indicated above, each of receptacles 18, 20, 22 and 24 opens through outer surface 30 along the circumference of body 12. Receptacles 18, 20, 22 and 24 are spaced from one another along the circumference of body 12 such that receptacles 18, 20, 22 and 24 are arranged in a radial array on body 12. As illustrated, receptacles 18, 20, 22 and 24 are evenly spaced from one another. However, forms in which the spacing between receptacles 18, 20, 22 and 24 varies are also possible.
Device 10 includes optical components 34, 36, 38 and 40 which are positioned in receptacles 18, 20, 22 and 24, respectively. While each of receptacles 18, 20, 22 and 24 includes an optical component in the illustrated form, forms in which an optical component is positioned in only some of receptacles 18, 20, 22 and 24 are also possible. Optical components 34, 36, 38 and 40 respectively include input ends 42, 44, 46, and 48 and output ends 50, 52, 54 and 56. In the illustrated form, each of output ends 50, 52, 54, and 56 includes a pair of outputs which may be coupled to a respective optical fiber, although it is also possible that one or more of output ends 50, 52, 54, and 56 may include a single output which may be coupled to a respective optical fiber. Each of input ends 42, 44, 46, and 48 includes a single input, although one or more of input ends 42, 44, 46 and 48 may include more than one input.
When optical components 34, 36, 38 and 40 are positioned in receptacles 18, 20, 22 and 24 of body 12, input ends 42, 44, 46, and 48 extend past second end 16 of body 12, and output ends 50, 52, 54, and 56 extend past first end 14 of body 12. In some forms, one or more or each of optical components 34, 36, 38 and 40 may be a fused fiber optical component which includes a fused fiber coupling region where light may be exchanged between optical fibers. In these forms, the fused fiber coupling region may be positioned in receptacles 18, 20, 22 and 24 between first end 14 and second end 16 of body 12.
Device 10 further includes a pair of covers 58 and 60 which cooperate to receive and enclose body 12 and a portion of optical components 34, 36, 38 and 40. In the illustrated form, covers 58 and 60 have an arcuate configuration which corresponds to the cylindrical shape of body 12. The shape and configuration of covers 58 and 60 may change as the shape and configuration of body 12 changes. Cover 58 extends between a first end 62 and an opposite second end 64, and cover 60 extends between a first end 66 and an opposite second end 68. Each of covers 58 and 60 includes a length between first ends 62, 66 and second ends 64, 68 which is greater than a length of body 12 between first end 14 and second end 16. As such, when covers 58 and 60 are positioned about body 12, first end 14 of body 12 is inwardly offset from first ends 62 and 66 of covers 58 and 60, respectively, and second end 16 of body 12 is inwardly offset from second ends 64 and 68 of covers 58 and 60, respectively. However, as may be best viewed in connection with
Optical components 34, 36, 38 and 40 may be secured in receptacles 18, 20, 22 and 24 with an adhesive material which may, for example, also be used to secure covers 58 and 60 to body 12. In one form, the adhesive material may be placed in and at least partially fill receptacles 18, 20, 22 and 24 after optical components 34, 36, 38 and 40 have been suitably positioned, followed by the positioning of covers 58 and 60 to environmentally or hermetically seal body 12 and the portions of optical components 34, 36, 38 and 40 positioned therein. However, forms in which receptacles 18, 20, 22 and 24 are not entirely filled with the adhesive material are also possible. In some forms the adhesive material used in connection with device 10 may be an epoxy material.
Device 10 also includes a recursive fiber 70 which extends from an output of output end 54 of optical component 38 to an input of input end 44 of optical component 36. In this arrangement, sequential component such as optical component 38 and optical component 36 may be concatenated without fusion splicing since fiber 70 couples the output of one optical component with the input of another optical component. Amongst other things, elimination of fusion splicing between optical component 38 and optical component 36 may increase reliability, minimize the relevant optical path length, and decrease manufacturing complexity. Forms in which recursive fiber 70 is not present are also possible, as well as forms where a recursive fiber extends between other optical components of device 10.
In
For example, recursive fiber 70, which extends between output and input ends of different optical components of device 10, enters pathway 98 through a space between inner guides 88 and 94 and continues in a counter clockwise direction in pathway 98 until it exits through a space between inner guides 88 and 90. In this arrangement, recursive fiber 70 is able to connect between different optical components of device 10 while continuing in pathway 98 for less than one entire loop. A second optical fiber 100 extends between optical component 72 and one of the optical components of device 10 and may, for example, include one or more splices positioned therein. Optical fiber 100 enters pathway 98 through a space between inner guides 90 and 92 and continues for two loops around pathway 98 until it exits through a space between inner guides 88 and 90.
Tabs 86, 96 may engage with and prevent recursive fiber 70, optical fiber 100, and any other optical fibers which may be present from being displaced from pathway 98. Additionally, a number of spaces exist between outer guides 78, 80, 82 and 84 such that optical fibers in pathway 98 could also extend to other components which are not positioned within routing member 74.
Turning now generally to
Body 112 includes a surface 126 which is recessed relative to surface 113 of body 112 and to surface 124 of receptacles 118a-i and separates receptacles 118a-i into separate portions positioned adjacent to first end 114 and second end 116 of body 112. As indicated above, oreceptacles 118a-i are spaced apart from one another and, as may be best seen in
Device 110 includes optical components 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, and 138 which are positioned in receptacles 118a, 118b, 118c, 118e, 118h and 118i, respectively. While an optical component is not positioned in receptacles 118d, 118f and 118g, forms where an optical component is also positioned in one or more of receptacles 118d, 118f and 118g are possible. Optical components 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, and 138 respectively include input ends 140, 142, 144, 146, 148 and 150, and output ends 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, and 162. In the illustrated form, each of output ends 154, 158 and 162 includes a pair of outputs which may be coupled to a respective optical fiber, although it is also possible that one or more of output ends 154, 158 and 162 may include a single output which may be coupled to a respective optical fiber. Similarly, while output ends 152, 156 and 160 include a single output, one or more of output ends 152, 156 and 160 may include a pair of outputs which may be coupled to a respective optical fiber. Moreover, while each of input ends 140, 144 and 148 includes a pair of inputs, one or more of input ends 140, 144 and 148 may include a single input which may be coupled to a respective optical fiber, and while each of input ends 142, 146 and 150 includes a single input, one or more of input ends 140, 144 and 148 may include a pair of inputs.
When optical components 128, 130, 132, 134, 136 and 138, or any other optical components which may be present, are positioned in receptacles 118a, 118b, 118c, 118e, 118h and 118i, or another combination of receptacles, of body 112, input ends 140, 142, 144, 146, 148 and 150 extend past second end 116 of body 112, and output ends 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, and 162 extend past first end 114 of body 112. In some forms, one or more or each of optical components 128, 130, 132, 134, 136 and 138, or a different number of optical components, may be a fused fiber optical component which includes a fused fiber coupling region where light may be exchanged between optical fibers. In these forms, the fused fiber coupling region may be positioned in receptacles 118a, 118b, 118c, 118e, 118h and 118i, or a different combination of receptacles, between first end 114 and second end 116 of body 112. In one form for example, the fused fiber coupling region may be positioned along or over surface 126 of elongate body 112.
Device 110 further includes a cover 164 which is positioned over elongate body 112 and retains optical components in 128, 130, 132, 134, 136 and 138, or other optical components which may be present, in receptacles 118a, 118b, 118c, 118e, 118h and 118i, or some other combination of receptacles 118a-i as relevant depending on the number and positioning of the optical components which are present. In the illustrated form, cover 164 has a rectangular configuration which generally corresponds in size and shape to elongate body 112. The shape and configuration of cover 164 may change as the shape and configuration of elongate body 112 changes.
When positioned over elongate body 112, first end 166 and second end 168 of cover 164 are generally flush or in-line with first end 114 and second end 116, respectively, of elongate body 12. In this configuration, input ends 140, 142, 144, 146, 148 and 150 extend past second end 168 of cover 164, and output ends 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, and 162 extend past first end 166 of ccover 164. In some forms, cover 164 may be longer that elongate body 112 such that first end 114 of elongate body 112 is inwardly offset from first end 166 of cover 164 and second end 116 of elongate body 112 is inwardly offset from second end 168 of cover 164.
Optical components 128, 130, 132, 134, 136 and 138, or other optical components which may be present, may be secured in receptacles 118a, 118b, 118c, 118e, 118h and 118i, or some other combination of receptacles 118a-i, with an adhesive material which may, for example, also be used to secure cover 164 to elongate body 112. In one form, after optical components have been suitably positioned in those of receptacles 118a-i which will receive an optical component, the adhesive material may be placed in and at least partially fill one or more of receptacles 118a-118i, as well as recessed surface 126, and then cover 164 may be positioned over elongate body 112 to environmentally or hermetically seal elongate body 112 and the portions of optical components 128, 130, 132, 134, 136 and 138, or other optical components which may be present, positioned therein. Forms in which one or more of receptacles 118a-i and recessed surface 126 are not entirely filled with the adhesive material are also possible. Device 110 also includes a tray 174 in which elongate body 112 and cover 164 may be positioned and retained with an adhesive material. The portion of tray 174 opposite of cover 164 may, in turn, be adhered or otherwise coupled to a PCB or other component of an optoelectronic module. In some forms the adhesive materials used in connection with device 110 may be epoxy materials.
Device 110 also includes a recursive fiber 170 which extends from an output of output end 158 of optical component 134 to an input of input end 140 of optical component 128, and a recursive fiber 172 which extends from an output of output end 162 of optical component 138 to an input of input end 148 of optical component 136. In this arrangement, sequential components such as optical component 134 and optical component 128, and optical component 138 and optical component 136, may be concatenated without fusion splicing since fibers 170 and 172 respectively couple the output of one optical component with the input of another optical component. As indicated above, elimination of fusion splicing between various optical components may, amongst other things, increase reliability, minimize relevant optical path lengths, and decrease manufacturing complexity. Forms in which one or both of recursive fibers 170 and 172 are not present are also possible, as well as forms where a recursive fiber extends between other optical components of device 110.
Devices 10 and 110 may be used in any number or variety of communication or optoelectronic modules. In some forms, the modules in which devices 10 and 110 may be used include a relatively large number of optical components. One example of a module of this nature may be an optical or amplifier line card, including for example line card 210 illustrated in
In
Line card 210 also includes a plurality of optical component array devices 10 with optical component array devices l0a positioned adjacent to optical component array devices 10b. Each of devices l0a houses and provides four fused fiber optical components in the form of wavelength division multiplexers, and each of devices 10b houses and provides four fused fiber optical components in the form of couplers. The number of devices 10 present and the fiber optic component functionality provided thereby in the illustrated form are representative only, and variations in both the number and functionality of devices 10, and the number of optical components included by both, may vary in alternative forms. By way of example, line card 210 as illustrated in
Optical components described herein which may be included in device 10 or device 110 may be provided in any of a number of different forms and with any of a number of different functionalities. The optical components may each individually perform a single function which may be the same or different from the function performed by the other optical components. The optical components may therefore collectively perform a single function or multiple different functions. In one aspect, one or more of the optical components of device 10 or device 110 may be a fused fiber optical component. Particular forms of the optical components which may be included in device 10 or device 110 include tap couplers and wavelength division multiplexers, just to provide a few examples. Device 10 or device 110 may also include in one or more receptacles thereof a fusion splice between similar or dissimilar types or diameters of optical fibers.
In one aspect, the optical components which may be included in device 10 or device 110 include fused fiber optical components where bare fibers are epoxied into slotted glass rods and further protected by a concentric layer of shrink tubing. Similarly, it is contemplated that one or more of the optical components included in device 10 or device 110 may have this configuration as it is positioned in a relevant receptacle of one or more of these devices and subsequently covered with an epoxy material. The optical components in device 10 or device 110 may all have the same functionality within a given device 10 or 110, or the functionality of different components within a given device 10 or 110 may vary such that device 10 or device 110 provide multiple different functionalities which may, for example, be complementary to one another.
Unless specific arrangements described herein are mutually exclusive with one another, the various implementations described herein can be combined to enhance system functionality or to produce complementary functions. Likewise, aspects of the implementations may be implemented in standalone arrangements. Thus, the above description has been given by way of example only and modification in detail may be made within the scope of the present invention.
With respect to the use of substantially any plural or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. A reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically stated, but rather “one or more.” Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the above description.
In general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that include A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, etc.). Also, a phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to include one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
